Electric water heater



Spt. 22, 1925. 1,554,502

G. E. HULSE ELECTRIC WATER HEATER Filed March l5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l M 4lmsevfnz 351g @btmm Sept. 22, 1925.

G. E. HULSE ELECTRIC WATER HEATER Filed March, l5, 1923 2 Shees-Sheet 2 Mill'llllllllli Il LNV mmm llllllllllllulllllilf2 58 56 32E/07% M wvewcoz Patented. sept. 22, 1925. i l 1,554,502 'UNITED STATESI PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. HULSE, F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, SSIGNOR T0 THE SAFETY CAR I HEATING 6c LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW' JERSEY.

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER.

Application filed March 15, 1923. Serial No. 625,208.

VTo all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. HULsE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Haven, in the county ot New Haven and State .of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Electric Water Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This `invention relates to water heaters and more particularly to electric water heaters for heating water as required.

One of the objects of this invention is-to provide a practical apparatus for electrically heating water of reliable and. dependable action and of compact and rugged construction; Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character in which dependability and'po'sitiveness of operation are i'nsured and in which the several parts are reliably safeguarded against the possibility of injurious overheating. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above nature of eiiicient action and well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed `out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of pai ts as will be exempliiied in the structure to be hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown cnc of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the apparatus in assembled relation, certain parts being shown in elevation, however, to show their relation more clearly;

Figure 1a isa transverse vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, showing the connection of the heating unit;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus as viewed from the top of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a central vertical section, partly in elevation, ot the upper portion of the apparatus as seen on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figure` 4 is a side elevation as viewed 'from the left in Fig. 1 and shows the upper portion of the apparatus, the casing being omitted for the sake of greater clarity of Villustration l Figure 5 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, on the line-55 of Fig. 2; and

Figure 6 is a view substantially similar] to that of Fig. 3 but showing the apparatus in a different stage of operation.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 4

. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a main casting 10 having `a substantially flat upper portion 11 upon which certain parts of the apparatus may be .conveniently mounted, and having at a. substantially central portion thereof a substantially cylindrical recess 12, the right-hand end of which as viewed in Fig. 1 is in communication with the exterior as by `the cylindrical opening 13 which is preferably tapped or threaded in order to permit a connection to be made with any suitable source of water supply. At the left-hand end of the Substantially cylindrical recess 12 thelatter is threaded as at 12a in order that a suitable valve mechanism may be detachably mounted With re, spect to the main casting 10. This valve mechanism preferably comprises a casting 14 which is threaded into the threaded end of the recess 12, and at its right-hand end carries a valve seat 15 with which a disklike valve member 16 coacts in order to control the passage of water from the connection made to the water supply at the opening 13. The valve member 16 is mounted upon one end of a valve stem 17 which eX- tends through and is suitably supported for longitudinal movement with respect to the valve casting 14. At the left-hand end the valve stem 17 terminates in a push button 18 which is disposed exteriorly of the casting 10 in order to permit manual operation of the valve 16. l

-The push button '18 is connected in any suitable manner to the left-'hand end of the valve stem 17 preferably-however, by means of the cylindrical extension 19 which is slidably supported in a suitable bearing surface formed in the left-hand end of the valve casting 14 and thus acts to assist in supporting the valve stem 17 forplongitudinal movement. The valve casting 14 is recessed as at 20, within which recess and surrounding thevalve stem there is mounted a compression spring 21-adapted to maintain the The recess 20 is 'provided with a downwardly directedopening 22 adapted to comvalve member 16 seated upon its seat 15.

municate with the heating unit and its associated parts to be more clearly Adescribed hereinafter. At its right-hand end the valve casting 14 is also recessed as at 23- sponse to a manual operation of the push button 18' against the action of the spring 21, the valve member 16 is unseated to place the recessed end of the casting 14 in vcommunication with the source of water supply. Intervening the-two recesses 20 and- 23 and in communication therewith is a restrictedv Water passage 24, and this passage 24 may conveniently be made adjacent the valve -stem 17 in order thus to place the recess 2O in communication with the recess 23. The flow of water may therefore take place from the recess 23y through the restricted passage 24, the recess '20, opening 22, to a chamber, generally indicated-at 25 and in general of a cylindrical shape, Within which is preferably positioned the electric heating unit.

, The chamber' 25 may conveniently. be formed by the interior of a substantially cylindrical sheet metal member or housing 26 flared outwardly at its upper end as at 26a to permit making a sealed connection With the main casting 10. The housing 26 is preferably heldin assembled relation with respect to the main casting -10 by means of the cap screw 27 and the end cap 28 formingI the bottom forthe housing 26. The cap screw 27 is threaded at its upper end into a suitably formed collar 3() preferably formed integrally with the main casting 10. The end cap 28 is provided with a plurality of projections 29 spacedy from one another circumferentially and also spaced from the center of the end cap 28, and upon these vprojections 29 is supported a substantially cylindrical and hollow core 31 composed of a suitable-insulating material and having disposed upon both its interior and exterior surfaces a.. suitable resistance element. This resistance element may conveniently take the form of a winding 31a of a suitable resistance wire wound upon the exterior of the core 3l and a. second winding 31b positioned and suitably mounted upon the interior of the core 31. Preferably the core 31 is formed both upon its interior and exterior surfaces with threads of suitable pitch, the grooves of which may conveniently support the resistance wire. Moreover', the exterior threaded part of the core 31 may conveniently be placed in threaded engagement with the spaced projections 29 on the. end cap 28, in order thus to hold the heating unit in position and in spaced relation with respect not only to the cylindrical housing 26 but also to a centrally positioned tube 32 supported at its upper end by the collar 3() hereinbefore described. AtV its lower end the tube32. is supported in spaced relation with respect to the cap screw 27 by means of the cylindrical collar 28 integrally formed upon the' end cap 28. The tube 32 is thus held by the collars v3() and 28 in spaced relation with respect to the cap screw 27 which it surrounds and forms therewith an annular passage. At a convenient point/and preferably adjacent the .upper end of the tube 32`the latter is connected to a discharge ,spout '33 passing ouiwardly through the housing 26. At the lower end of the tube. 32 suitable open` ings 32a are providedto place the annular passage therein in communication with the lower end of the chamber 25 formed within the cylindrical housing 26. n

Consideringr now the further path of flow of water as it is passed from the source of supply connectedat the opening 13 througll the passage 22 under the control of the valve member 16, the water flows downwardly in the chamber 25 provided by the housing 26 and upon reaching the heating vunit 31 the water is split up into an interior and an exterior. relatively thin and substantially annular stream, being thus brought into intimate thermal relation with the windings 31a and 31by of the electric heating unit. Upon reaching the bottom of the interior of theliousing 26 the two annular streams pass through the openings 32Il in the lower end of the tube 32 wherein the water is madeto flow in a relatively thin annular stream and in anupward direction whence it may be discharged through the spout During its upward passage through the tube 32 the water is again brought into thermalv relation wih the heating unit 31 and there is thusI brought about an eli'ective heating action. In Fig. 1 of the "drawings the path ol' llos-x of the water is clearly indicated by lhe arrows. i

At this point it might be noted that the .heating unit may be suitably treated with any suitable insulating compound` such as bakelite or enamel for example. in order thereby to insulate the electrical. pars from the water passing in contact therewith. and it might also be noted that the terminals ol the windings of the heating unit may be connected in any suitable manner to the bindingl posts associated-with the circuitcontrolliug mechanism to be more clearly hereinafter described.

Considering now the current-controlling means. it will first-be noted that the recess 23 in the valve casting 14 adjacent the valve member 16 has in communication therewith an upwardly extending passage 3l passing through the upper supporting plate 11 ini operating the f push button 18, the water through its pressure is effective to cause the expansion longitudinally of the sleeve member 35, being effective upon the member lthrough a relatively large and unrestricted',

i passage 35 as compared with ,the relatively `the posts 37 and 38 rigidlymou small orl somewhat restricted passage 24 leading the Water to the heating unit, There is thus insured an effective pressure-responsive action of the expansible sleeve member.

Referring ,now more particularly to F ig. 5, the upper, closed end of the sleeve 35 carries a transversely extending plate 36 in slidable engagement at its outer ends with hted upon the base plate 11. 'Interposed between'the f plate 36 and the headed ends 37a and 38aL and surrounding.' the posts 37 and 38, respectively, are thesprings 39'and 40 against which the expansion .of the sleeve 35 -in response to the pressure of the water takes place. The upper closed end of the sleeve' 35 is thus guided during its movementsin a vert-ical direction and, moreover, a positive return movement to normal of the upper e 1 or plate 36 of the pressure-responsive mem-` loer 35 is assured. Thus it will be seen that upon the pressure-.responsive member 35 being exposed to the pressure of water/ under the control'of the valve 16 the transverse plate 36 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. .5 for example, and upon a removal of the pressure acting upon the'member 35, as,

for example, by the closure of the yalve 16,

the plate member 36 is given a retrograde movement by the return to normal of the member 35. This retrograde movement, taking placein a downward direction as viewed in Fig. 5, is assured by the action of the springs 39 and 40. i f

To the right of the sleeve member 35, as viewed in Figs. 2, '3 and 6, is positioned a vertically extending post 41 preferably in-y tegrally formed with the base plate 11 and supporting at its upper end a pin 41 upon which are pivot'ed the leve-rs 42 and 43. The levers 42 and 43 are 'preferably formed of sheet metal and are bent laterally and downwardly to vprovide substantially vertically depending side walls 42l and 43a, respectively. Thisformation of the levers 42 and 43 is conducive not only to rigidity and strength of construction, but also to compactness, since, as will be seen from Figs.

2 and 5, t e lever 42 is substantially housed construction and interrelation of these levers Within arid underneath the lever 43. Moreover, the side `wall portions -42a and 43a eX- tending downwardly in `depending relation also make possible greater convenience of with the various other .parts to be more clearly hereinafter described. At its outer end remote. from the pivoting pin 41'(see Figs. 2 and 3) the lever 43 has mounted' thereon and suitably insulated 75 therefrom a 4switch vmember 44 extending transversely ofV the lever 43 and having .twot depending and laterally extending spring arms 44a and 44" (see Fig. 4) adapted to coact,. respectively, with theI upstanding spring contacts 45a and 45b inserted in the circuit of the electric heating unit hereinbe- `fore described. Thus-,fthe spring contact 45a withl itsV associated binding post 46a may be mounted upon 'the base plate 11 and insulated therefrom in any suitable manner, whereas the other spring contact `45b'may be substantially similarly associated, with its binding post 46h, with respect to -the base plateV 11. In Fig. 4 -is diagrammatically indicated the electric ,circuit and it will be noted that from any suitable sourceof supply, indicated at 47 as a battery, a conductor 47a leads `to a main connecting binding post 47b mounted upon and insulated from the base .member 11 and adapted to facilitate the connection of the apparatus to the de-a sired source of supply. From the binding post 47b a conductor 47c leads ,to the heating unit, diagrammatically indicated at 31, and om the heating unit 31 a conductor 47d leads to the 'binding post 46b which is, as above noted, in electrical connection with the spring contact 45b The binding post 46a associated with the other spring contact 45a is adapted to facilitate the connection of the apparatus asfby a conductor 47 e to the other side of the source of current supply 47. Thus, referring still to Fig. 4, it will be seen. that with'I the parts in thefposition there 110 shown theA circuit controlling 'the flow `of current to the resistance element 31 is broken lsince'tlie switch member 44 is in` its plowermost position andoutof contact with the spring contacts 45 and 451:. Upon' the switch member 44 being moved upwardly to throw its respective end portions 44 and 44b in connection with the ,upper ends of the spring vcontacts 45e and 45", respectively, the circuit will be clsed, the spring contacts 45a and 45b insuring a goed electrical circuitclosing contact with theswitch member 44.

Considering now the mea-ns for controlling the operation of the switch member 44, it may be noted that the levers 42 and'43 are, normally in substantially the position shown in Fig. y3, a small post 48 suitably secured to the upper portion of the lever 42 land adapted to contact with the under side of the lever 43 acting to limit the movement of Athese two levers toward each other. A bar 49 (see I Figs, 2 and 3)- is mounted upon the upper part of the lever 43 so as to project laterally on each side thereof, and in substantial' alignment with the projecting end parts of the bar 49 there. are provided in the side wall portions 42a of the lever '42 laterally projecting and horizontally extending ears 50 adapted to be engaged by and to support at th`eir lower ends the springs 51, one on each side of the levers 42 and 43 (see Figs. 2 and 4), the upper ends of these springs 5l being engagedA by the projecting ends of the cross-bar 49. The springs 51,. which are tension springs, tend to hold the two levers 42 and 43 in interengaging relation as determined by the post 48 (see Fig.' 3) yet may be stressed to permit independent movement of one lever away from the other.

To the left of the expansible pressure-responsive device or sleeve 35 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is positioned a vertically extending post 52 preferably integrallyv` formed with the base plate 11 and preferably bifurcated, as is more clearly shown in Fig. 4, to permit pivotal mounting with respect thereto of a vertically extending latch member 53, as by the pivoting pin 54.v The latch member 53 extends vertieallvto a sullicient extent so that its recessed end 53a is substantially within the range of the extreme upper limit of movement of that end of the lever 43 upon which the switch member 44 is mounted. A spring 55 supported by the pivoting pin 44 and having its ends abutting against the base plate 11 and against the latch member 53 (see Fig. 3) .tends to swing the latch member 53 toward the right so that as the switch-carrying end of the lever 43 is moved upwardly by a clockwise swinging of the lever 43 about the pivot 41"` the left-'hand end of the sheet metal lever 43 will ride into the recess 53HVL in the extreme upper end of the latch member 53, thus locking the lever 43 and its associated switch member 44 in circuit-closing relation with respect to the spring `contacts 45a and 451.v This relation of these parts is clearly shownin Fig. 6.

The upper end ofthe latch member below the recessed portion 53a is formed to provide a substantially arcuate cam surface 531 with which the extreme left-hand end of the lever 43 is placed in engagement as it is moved upwardly, thus in' efect acting as a cam surface to swing the latch or locking member 53 against .the action of the spring 55 in order thus to permit interlocking engagement of these parts at the completion of the circuit-closing movement of the lever 43.

Adjacent the post 52 which supports the. locking member53 and somewhat displaced laterally therefrom (see F ig. 4) is another -vertical post 5G which pivotally supports another latch member 57 as by the pivoting cap screw 58.` The locking member 57 isl adapted to coact with the left-hand end of the lever 42 and is provided with an inwardly directed substantially hook-shaped end portion 57EL urged inwardly toward the lever 42 by the spring 59, conveniently supported by the pivoting member 58, so as to tend to limit the upward movement of the left-hand end (as viewed in Fig. 3) of the lever 42 as the latter is swung in clockwise direction about the pivoting member 41, Thelatch member 57, moreover, is provided with an inwardly extending arm 57b preferably integrally formed therewith and positioned in the path of upward movement of the upper end of the pressure-responsive device 35. Thus, referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that thelatch member 57 has `its hook-shaped end 57a urged inwardly into engagement with the left-hand end of the lever 42 so that upon an upward movement of this end of the lever, by means Amore clearly hereinafter described, the lever 42 will be restrained from continued movement by the hook-shaped end 57 a, thus lockopening position, as is clearly shown in Fig.`

4. These parts, thus locked against further movement or against movement into circuitclosing relation, are adapted to be released to make the circuit-closing movement preferably only upon a release of the lever .42 by the hook-shaped end 57 of the latch 57. This release is preferably brought about through the arm 57b which swings the hookshaped end 57 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, as the arm 57b is engaged by the pressure-responsive device 35 and moved thereby only, however, after a predetermined movement of the upper end of the latter has taken place.

Turning nowvto the connection of the levers 42 and 43 with the pressure-responsive device 35, reference is particularly to be had to Fig'. 5 of thtl drawings in which it will be seen that at a substantially central point i-n the transverse member 36 associated with the upper end'of the pressureresponsivedevice 35 there is mounted to be movable therewith a post 36a. The post 36EL has rigidly mounted thereon a transversely extending operating bar 6() which passes through vertically extending slots 42 in the depending side portions 42l of the lever 42 (see more particularly Fig. 6) in order to form therewith a lost motion connection. As seen in Fig.' 5, the bar 60 extends to a substantial extent laterally of the lever 42, suitable provision being made in the depending side portions 43'L of the lever 43, asby cutting such portions away, to permit freedom of movement .of the operating bar 60 with respect to the lever 43.

The respective lateral projecting ends of the bar 60 are adapted to coact withthe pins 61 and'62 depending downwardlytfrom a transversely extending spring member 63 suitably secured tothe upper portion of the lever 42 as by spot-welding, for example, in order to permit the spring member 63 to be` flexed as the operating cross-bar 60 moves upwardly as seen in Fig. 5 in response to an expansion of the device when exposed to the pressure of the water in the apparatus in the manner hereinbefore. described. p

vBearing in mind that the parts in normal or circuit-opening position bear the rela` tions to one another-as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a manual depression of the push opens the valve member 16 and permits the pressureof thewater to be communicated through the passage 34 to the interior of the expansible sleeve member 35, which thereupon bringsabout an upward movement of the transversely eX- tending/ member 36 -(see Fig. 5) against I the normal resistance'of the device 35 itself device 35 thus stresses. the

to expansion and also against the springs 39 and 40 acting upon the member 36. The resultant movement `upwardly of the member 36 in responseto the pressure-responsive springs 39 and 40 and stores energy therein. v

v As will be seen from Fig. 5, the upward movement of the member 36 brings about a like movement ofthe cross-rod which is carried into engagement with the pins 61 and 62, thus' tending to swing the lever 42 (and also the lever 43) in clockwise direc-- tion as viewed in Fig. 3 about the pivot 41a. S uc h Vmovement .of the levers, however, is llnited 'by the hook-shaped end 57a ofthe locking or latching mem er 57, which holds these parts, and particularly the lever 42 with which it directly engages, against further movement. AThe water continuously effective, however, in the device 35, continues the upward movement of the operating bar 60, thus carrying the pins 61 -and 62 upwardly withvit and bowing or lstressing the spring-member 63 upon which the `pins are mounted. Thus there is stored,

in the stressed spring member 63 a substantlal amount of ener member v63. Y The latter at once resumes its normal straight-line relation and in so doing snaps the lever 42 together with the pressure being.

long as the valve member 16 is open tol expose the pressure-responsive device 35 to the pressure of the 'water passing through the device. The switch member 44 having thus closed the circuit to the electric heating unit -the water flowing uthrough the device an discharging at the outlet end 0r spout 33 is eiiiciently heated.

After the desired quantity of hot 'water has been drawn, push button 18 is releasedL thus permitting the valve member 16 to be closed. The pressure is thus removed from the pressure-responsive device 35 and the latter beginsto contract to assume its normal unexpanded form, being aided by the springs 39 and 40. The downward movement (as viewed-in Figs. 5 and 6) of the transverse member 36 is effective through the operating cross-bar 60 to bring about a counter-clockwise partial lrotation of the lever 42 about its pivot 41, it beingnnderstood that the locking member -53 is during this action operative to hold .the lever 43 with its switch member 44 in circuit-closing position, vas shown in Fig. 6. Durin the 4downward movement of the left-han end of the`leverf42 the springs 51 vare stressed` and thus have stored therein a substantial l6100- ainount of energy. As will be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, there is mounted in the forward or vleft-handend of the lever 42' a roller 64, the

latter being rotatably supported upon a small shaft 65 supported in the de ending side portion 42a of the lever 42. This roller vcoacts with the cam surface 53b of the locking member 53 and during the downward movement of the left-hand end of the lever 42 theroller 64, acting through the cam surface 53", swings the recessed .end 53a of the lockinglmember 53 away from the engaged end of the switch-carryingx'lever 43. The release of the lever 43, however, Ctakes place preferably only after a substantial stressing of thesprings -51, as hereinbefore described, has beenv4 effected so that the energy stored in these springs 51, upon being released, is effective to snap the lever 43 in counter-clockwise direction about its pivot VAfter a substantial stessing of the member 63 has taken place, the upper end face lof the device 35`engages'the arm 57h ofthe swings the hook- 41, thus. suddenly interrupting Vthe circuit and cutting the vcurrent to the heating element olf without detrimental sparking at the switch contacts.

As the upper end -face o f the pressureresponsive device 35 moves downwardly, the spring 59 is permitted .to return the locking' member 57 to normal, since the upper end face of the device 35 disengages the arm 57" tonlpermit this return action to take place.

The parts then assume the relation shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings and are in readiness for subsequent operation.

The current-controlling apparatus hereinabove described may conveniently be encased in a dome-shaped cover 66 mounted above the base plate portion 11 of the main casting 10. It will beseen that removal of the .cover 66 conveniently exposes certain parts of the apparatus and thus provides convenient and ready access thereto.

As hereinabove noted, the heating unit has its core 31 preferablyin threaded engagement with the spaced projections 29 on the end cap 28, and it will be seen that upon rmoving the cap screw 27 the vend cap 28 with the heating unit mounted thereon may be readily removed from the apparatus. Ac`

in the upper part of the device, the conductors 47 and 47d, diagrammatically shown in 'Fig Il, are led through a suitable opening in the fiat upper portion 11 of the main casting 10 to a pair of binding posts 67 and 68 Xedly positioned in the upper part of the chamber 25 (see Fig. 11). The binding posts 67 and 68 are mounted upon and suitably insulated from a transversely extending plate member -69 suitably -apertured to receive the depending extension or collar 30 (see also Fig. 1) of the main casting 10 and rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner. The binding posts 67 and 68 are provided with downwardly directed contact members 70 and 71, respectively, preferably of cylindrical form and slotted as at 70a and 71a to provide in each contact member L' two oppositely disposed parts yielding with respect to one another. The contact members 70 and 71 are adapted to be received within the sleeve-like contact members 72 and 73, respectively, suitably vmounted upon.

the upper end of the core 31 ofthe heating unit, as, for example, by the collar 74 (see also Fig. 1) conveniently threadedl upon tle exterior of the core 31. From the sleeve contact 72 a. conductor 72a leads to one terminal of the windings 31aL and 31", and from ,the sleeve contact 73 a conductor 73a leads "to the other terminal of these heating windings.

Thus it will be seen that, as the heating unitxis inserted within the housing 26, the sleeve contacts 72 and 73 are telescoped over the fixed contact members 70 and 71, respectively, and thus insert the heating element'in the proper circuit. readily seen that upon removing the heating unit as hereinabove described the disconnection of the unit from the circuit is readily brought about.

The lower ends of the split contact membersv 7 0 and 71 may be conveniently tapered or rounded, as is indicated in Fig. 1, in order to facilitate the making of the electrical connection thereof with their respective sleeve contacts. Moreover, the contact members 70 and 71 in being slotted insurey a yielding contact thereof with the sleeve contacts and thus insure a good electrical connection.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a practical waterlieating apparatus in which the several objectsl of this invention, as Well as many advantages, are achieved. It may be noted that the apparatus is of rugged construction, positive action, and may be manuallylcontrolled in an exceedingly" simple manner. It may further be noted that the electric 4heating unit is amply safeguarded against overheating, not only in Ithat it is arranged so as to be constantly submerged in water irrespective of the iiuow therethrough of water, but also in that its energization and consequent heating action are effectively controlled in laccordance with the presence or absence of water passing through the apparatus. l

As many possible embodimentsl may be made of this invention andas many changes mightbe'made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown inthe accompanying drawings is to lbe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.'

I claim as my invention:

1.v In apparatus ofthe character described, in combination, means providing a path of flow forl water, an electric heating unit interposedtherein and adapted when energized (to heat the water passing through said means, means for controlling the flow ot current to said heating unit,'and means responsive to the pressure of the water in said path kfor closing -said current-controlling means.

Likewise, it will be.

'lon

2. In apparatus of the character described.

'in combinatiommeans providing a path of flow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, a switch controlling the flow of current to said heating unit, and means connected ywith said switch and movable in response to the pressure of water in said path for operating Said switch.

3. In apparatus of the character described` in combination, means providing a path of fiow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized `to heat the water passing through said means, a switch controlling the How of current to said heating unit, andexpansible" means adapted to be exposed to the water in said path having a connection with said switch and adapted in responseto the pressure of the water to controll the operation of said switch. i 4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providing a path of flow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the Water passing through said'means, a switch controlling the How of .current to said heating unit, and an eX- pansible` chamber fixed at one end and hav- Iing its movable end connected with said switch, said chamber being adapted to be exposed to, tliepressure of water in said pathy for controlling the operation of said switch./ i f l d 5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providing a path of flow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein'and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through ,said means, a switch controlling the iow of 30 current to said heating unit, means Ifor locking said switch in open position, means movable in response to the pressure of water in said path, and means forming a connection between said pressure-responsive means and said switch adapted to `have energy stored therein upon movement of said pressure-re-A sponsive means, said pressure-responsive means being adapted upon a predetermined energy-storing movement thereof to release 40 said locking means and thereby' to permit said energy-storing means to move said switch into closed position. 1

6. In apparatus of the character dei scribed, inv combination, means providing a path of flow for water, an electric heating nit interposed therein'gand adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, a switchcontrolling the vlowoii current to said Aheating unit, means for lock- 'J ing said switch in open position, means movable in response to the pressure of water in said path, means forming a connection be. tween said pressure-responsive means-and -said switch adapted to have'energy storedtherein upon movement of said pressureresponsive means, and means associated with and operative upon said locking means and positioned in the path of movementof said movable pressure-responsive means adapted -upon ail predetermined movement thereof to g, release said locking means.

7 In apparatus ,of the character described, in combination, means providing a path of flow for water, an electric heating A*35- unitjnterposed therein and adapted when holding 'said'switch in open position, means lneans'mvable in response to the pressure in either direction to release said locking -means to lpermit the expenditure -of said l energized to heat-thezwater passing through said means, `aswitcli controlling the iow oiE current/tov said heating unit, a latchl for movable inv response to tlie pressure of the water in'said path-forming means, means forming a yielding connection between said movable pressuiye-iesponsive means and said switch, and an arrn` rigidly connected withsaid-latch and--projecting'into the path of y movement of said pressure-responsive means adapted upon a predetermined movement of said means to be engaged thereby and toreleasesaid latch. i :Y

8. In apparatus` of the character d'e-n 80 scribed, in combination., `means providing a path of iow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, 'aswitchf controlling theflow of current to said heating unit, means for locking said switch in open position, means movable in responseto the vpressure of water in said path,.spring means vforming a connec-a tion between-'said movable means and said 90 switch adapted upon mo einent'of the former to be stressed there y, and means efiective after a predetermined movement of said 'pressureresponsive means vto release said locking means.' f I 9. In v apparatus of.' the character described, in combinationfmeans providing a path` of `i'iow for water, an. electric heatingunit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heatthe water passing through said means, a switchcontrollingthe flow fof current to said heating unit, means for locking, said switch in open or closed position,

0f water in said path, means forming a'con` nection between said l pressure-responsive means and said switch adapted' upon' moyement ofsaid pressurefresponsive"means in one direction in kresponsesto pressure or-upon -1 movement in the other directiondue tp the absehee of pressure on said pressure-respon sive means to have' energy stored therein,

'and means' adapted upona predetermined4 movement of' said pressure-responsive means i' fll stored energy in saidv connecting means to permit closure or .opening oi said switchin accordance 'with' thel pressure-responsive means or amovementdue toabsence of 129 pressure respectively.

,10..In apparatus f the eharab-,terrfdescribed, in combination, means providing al' path of flow for water, an` electric .heating unit interposed therein and adapted vwhen energized to heat the water passing through said means, a switch adaptedv to be closed to energize said heatingy unit, means for i locking said switch in closed position.y means movable in one direction in' response tothe 130.

pressure of -the water in'said path and adapted to partake oa retrograde movement due to the absence of pressure in said path, means formin a yielding connection between said mova, le pressure-responsive means and said switch adapted upon retrograde movement of said former means to be stressed, and means ei'ective on a predetermined retrograde movement of said pressure-responsive means to release said lockingr means. and thereby to permit opening oi said switch.

11. In apparatus of the character de-,

scribed, in combination, means providing a path of iiow for water, an electric heating unit interposed, therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, a switch member for controlling the low of currentto said heating unit,

means for locking said switch member upon movement thereof,.energy-storing means associated with said switch member, means movable in response to the pressure of water y,in said path adapted upon movement thereof Ato store energy in said last-mentioned means, and means adapted upon a predetermined energy-'storing movement of said movable means to release said locking means and permit movement of said switch member to take place.

12. In apparatus of the character de.- scribed, in combination, means providing a V path .of flow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, a switch member for controlling the iiow of current to said heating unit, means for locking Said switch member upon movement thereof, energy-storing means associated with said switch member, means movable in response to the pressure of Water in said path adapted upon movement thereot to store energy in said last-mentioned means, and means including a cam operative upon said locking means and-affectedby said movable means, said cam being shaped to release said locking means upon a predetermined movement of said movable means.`

13. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a switch member, locking means adapted, to hold 'said switch in open position, locking means adapted to- 'hold said switch in closed position, a movmember in closed position, a movable membei' for controlling the operation of said l switch member, energy-storing means interposed between said switch member and said lcontrolling member adapted upon movement of the latter to have energy stored therein, and means effective upon a predeterminedv movement of said controlling member to release said locking means and to permit the expenditure of the stored energy in said last-'mentioned means to effeet an opening of said switch member.

15. In apparatus of the characterv described', in combination, a movable switch member, means for locking said switch member upon movement thereof, a movable member for controlling the operation of said switch member, energy-storm means interposed between said switch mem er and said controlling member adapted upon movement of the latter to have energy stored therein, and means adapted upon a predetermined energy-storing movement of said controlling member to release said locking means and permit the expenditure of said stored energy in said last-mentioned means to effect a movement of said switch member.

16. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providing a path of flow'for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, means for controlling the low of current to said heating unit` hydraulic means for controlling the operation of said current-controlling means,'and a valve for controlling the fiow of water through said path andthe exposing of said hydraulic means to the water in said path.

17. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providing a path of ow for Water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said means, means for controlling the How of current to said heating unit, means responsive to the pressure of Water in said path for controlling the operation of said current-controlling means, a. valve for controlling both ftheiow of water through said path and the exposing of said pressureresponsive means to the pressure of water in said path,rand a restricted passage in said path-forming means interposed between the outlet end of said path and said pressureresponsive means to insure effective pressureresponsive action thereof.

18. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providing a path Aof i'low for water and having an -inlet end and an outlet end, an electricheating unit interposed therein and adapted when energized to heat the water passing through said path, a switch for controlling the iow of current to said heating unit, a valve positioned adjacent the inlet end of said path for controlling the "flow of water therethrough, means responsive to the pressure of water in said path and adapted to be exposed thereto only after operation of said valve for controlling the operation of said switch and a restrictedpassage interposed in said path between' the outlet end thereof and said pressure-responsive means..

19. In apparatus off the character described, in combination, a casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating. unit adapted to heat water passing'e through said casing and adapted to be inserted in said casing, a fixed contact member mounted within said casing,...

and means mounted-upon said heating unit and connected to one terminal thereo'f adapted to detachably engage said fixed contact upon said unit being inserted in said casing.

20. In apparatus of the character dejscribed, in combination, a casing adapted to form a path of ilow for' water therethrough,

-an electric heating unit adapted to heat water passing through saidy casing and adapted to be inserted in said casing, and a pair of electrical contacts adapted to be yieldingly engaged with4 one another, one of said contacts being fixedly mounted upon the interior of said casing and the other be.- ing mounted upon said heating unit and in yconnection with one terminal thereof.

21. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating unit ladapted to heat water passing through said casing and adapted to be inserted in said casing, and a pair .of electrical contacts, one of said contacts being formed to providel a' socket and the other of-saidl contacts beingformed to be received within said socket, one of said contacts being mounted within said casing and the other being mounted upon said heating unit and in electrical connection with one terminal thereof.

22. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a casing adapted to flow-,of water through said path an means for locking said switch member upon l 1 movement thereof, a movable` member responsive to the pressure of water in said path for controlling the operation of said switch member., energy-storing means interposed between said switch member and said pressure responsive -member and adapted Y upon movementb'f thellatter to have energy stored therein, a valve for controllin she 0.1 exposing said pressure ,responsive member to the water in said path and means'eiiecftive upon a `predetermined energy-storing.. movement of said pressure responsive mem- `ber to release said locking means and to permit the expenditure of the stored energy to ei'ect a movement f said switch member.

24. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providin a path of flow for water, an electricA heating unit-'interposed therein and adapted when energized to, heat the water passing through said means, a switch member for controlling the flowl of current to said heating unit, locking means adapted to hold said switch member in open position, a movable member responsive to the ressure of water in said path for' controlling the closing of saidv switch member, means-inter osed between -said switch member and sai pressure responsive member and adapted upon movement of the latter to become stressed, a valve for controlling the flow of water through said 'path and for exposing said pressure responsive member to the water in said path and thus to effect a movement thereof, and means 'eii'ective after a redetermined stressing of said interpose' member has taken place to release said locking means` and to permit said stressed member to effect a closinn` of said switch member. v

25. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means providing a path of iiow for water, an electric heating unit interposed therein and 4adapted whenv energized to heat the water passing through said means, a switch member 4for controlling the low of current'to said heating unit, locking means adapted to hold said switch member in closed position, a pressure controlled member adapted upon the removal cui pressure therefrom to partake of' a retrograde movement, a valve 'for controlling the ilow of water through said path and for controlling the exposure of said pressure controlled member to the water in said path, means interposed between said switch member and said pressure controlled member and adapted upon retrograde movement of the latter ree to become stressed, and means effective upon a. predetermined stressing of said last-mentioned means to release said locking means and to permit sald stressed member to return to substantially normal condition and thereof said pressure responsive means adapted,

upon a predetermined movement of the latter, to release said locking means and permit the operation of said switch member,

27. In `apparatus of the character described, in combination, a switch member, a

pivotally 4mounted latch orpholding said i switch member against movement, a movablel pressure responsive member adapted upon movement to control the operation of said switch member, and yieldable means interposed between'said switch member and said pressure responsive means and adapted upon movement of lthe latter to become stressed, said pivotally mounted latch being provided with means positioned in the path of movement of said pressure responsive means adapted, upon a predetermined movement of said pressure responsive means, to swlng said latch out of locking relation with said switch member and to permit. said' stressed means to elect a movement of said switch member.

28. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a casing having a portion thereof shaped to provide a path of flow for water, an electric heating unit mounted yin said portion of said casing and adapted when energized to heat the water passing therethrough, a movable switch member mounted in another portion of said casing and havin a pressure responsive bellows for -controling the operation of said switch member, and a valve for controlling the iow of waterv through the 'portion of said casing in which sald heating unit is i mounted and for controlling the flow of water to said bellows.

29. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a casing shaped to provide a path of flow for water and having an inlet and anoutlet therefor, 'an electric heating unit lin said casing adapted when energized to heat-the water passing throu h said path, a pressure' responsive switch or A controlling the energization of said heating unit, a valve adjacent the inlet end of said path of ow for controlling the flow of water past said heating unit, and means for exposing'said pressure responsive switch to the action of the pressure of the water between said valve and the outlet end of said path of'flow for the water.

30. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a switch member, a pair of pivotally mounted levers, one of which carries said switch member, means for yieldably holding said two levers together to constrain said levers to move together as a unit in one direction but to permit substantially inde endent movement in the other direction a out their pivots, means for locking the lever which carries said switch member against movement, pressure responsive means adapted to move the other lever away from said switch carr ing lever and thereby to stress the yiel able means holding said levers together, and means effective after a predetermined stressing of said yieldable means has taken place to release said locked lever and to permit said yieldable 'means to rapidly move said switch-carrying lever.

31.,In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a switch member, a pair of pivotally mounted levers,fone of which carries said switch member, means for yieldably holding' said two levers vtogether to constrain said vlevers to move together as a unit in one direction but to permit substantially independent movement in the other direction about their pivots, means responsive to pressure adapted to swing both of said levers as a unit to carry 'said switch member into circuit closing position, means effective u on the movement of said levers to lock said switch carrying lever in circuit closing position, said pressure-responsive means being adapted, upon `removal of the pressure effective thereon, to

partake of a retrograde movement and to carry with it said other lever, thus stressing the yieldable connection' between said two levers, and means responsive to a rede-' termined retrograde movement of sai ressure responsive means to unlock said switch-' carrying lever. Y

32. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an upper member and a lower member, means movably mounting saidmembers, a switch member mounted upon the u permemb'er, means yieldably holding sai upper and lower memberstogether to permit said two members to move upwardly substantially as a unit, locking means adapted upon upward movement of iis said upper member to engage and holdsaid Y upper member with sald switch member thereon, lookin means adapted u n movement of said ower member in ownward direction to engage and hold said lower member in lowermost position, a ressure responsive member, a connection etween saidxpressure responsive means to snap boththe upper and lower members with said switch member in upward direction, and means effective upon a predetermined retrograde movement of said pressureoresponsive means to disengage said other locking means from said upper memberand to permit the stressed connection between saidupper and lower members to .snap said upper member with the switch member thereon in downward direction.

33. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an upper lever and a lower lever mounted `to be swung about vsubstantially the same axis, a switch member carried by one of vsaid levers, means yieldably connecting said two levers to pera unit in one' direction about their pivots, and adapted to permit one of said levers to be swung away r'om'the other in the other the lower lever. mit the latter to be moved substantially as c direction about their pivots, means adapted upon movement of the upper lever about-,its pivot in one direction to engage and lock said lever, means adapted upon movement of the lower lever in the other direction to engage and hold said lower lever, a pressure responsive member, a connection lbetween the lower lever and said pressure responsive member adapted upon movement of said pressure responsive member in one direction to yieldA and, to become stressed and adapted upon movement of said ressure responsive member in the other irection to carry said lower lever with it, means effective after a predetermined movement of said pressure responsive member has taken place 'in one direction to disengage said lockingmeans from said lower lever and to permit the stressed connections between said lower lever and said pressure responsive means thereupon to snap both of said levers about their pivots, and means, effective aftery a predetermined movement in the other direction of said pressure responsive member has taken place to disengage said locking means from said upper lever and to permit the stressed connection between said two levers tofsnap the upper lever toward In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 20th day of February, 1923.

GEORGE E. HULSE. 

